Comparison of body mass index, waist circumference, and waist-height ratio in predicting functional outcome following ischemic stroke

Although a positive association between body mass index (BMI) and stroke incidence has been reported, having a higher BMI is known to be advantageous in surviving and recovering from stroke. The association between adiposity and stroke incidence is more evident for measures of abdominal obesity than for general obesity. The aim of our study was to compare BMI, waist circumference, and waist-height ratio (WHR) as predictors of 3-month functional outcome in stroke patients. The BMI, waist circumference, and WHR of acute stroke patients were divided into sex-specific quartiles. A total of 605 female and 727 male patients were included. For BMI, male patients in the second quartile were more likely to have a favorable functional outcome compared with those in the lowest quartile (adjusted OR 1.64, 95% CI 1.02–2.62). For waist circumference (adjusted OR for top quartile vs. lowest quartile 1.79, 95% CI 1.14–2.82) and WHR (adjusted OR for second quartile vs. lowest quartile 1.99, 95% CI 1.22–3.25), male patients in the two top quartiles were more likely to have a favorable functional outcome compared with those in the respective lowest quartile. BMI and WHR showed similar relationships to a favorable functional outcome, with a favorable functional outcome occurring most often among male patients in the second quartiles. In women, however, obesity was not related to functional outcome. In conclusion, general obesity measured by BMI and abdominal obesity measured by WHR showed similar effects on the functional outcome after stroke in men.